Collage: Work in progress
Mind map in journal. Note idea progression that I will take into Project 3 with a darker push and pull of motherhood theme.
Working toward Part 1.2 of Project 1 Refine It!! I was planning to move into the digital space once more. However my laptop died so I had to move forward with analogue processes.
Here are the 7 collages created in response to my chosen 5. All are works on A2 paper, inkjet printer, oil pastels, acrylic paint, pencil.
Mouth and clouds mosaic
Billie mosaic
Billie paint mosaic
Eleven’s face mosaic
Floating Elevens
Rainbow Easter hat
Family kids art
I feel each is successful in it’s own way. I was conscious of creating tension within the work. I may have gone a little too far with this at times, resulting in some overly distracting elements. Although I wanted to add layers and textures in some initially I felt the mosaic approach lent itself to a clean finish so left three without embellishment.
Journal notes on final seven
The composition that excites me the most is this one:
It speaks to me of childhood mythology/nostalgia/imagination. Swimming is for most of us a much anticipated and enjoyed childhood activity and holds many good memories. The cloud-like texture implys dreaming, space, a future of possibilities. This is further enhanced by the removal of background/context for the figure.
The removal of the head allows the viewer to put themselves into the picture. For this reason the smaller full figure will be removed in future compositions.
The cropped figures give a frame to the image while also lending themselves to a notion of what is hidden… not all is revealed. Repeating the same figure in different stances speaks to a story, frames of a video, yet an introspective internal movie where the viewer returns their own gaze.
I will move forward with this one - but translated to drawing/painting. I think the soft tones of watercolour, pencil, and charcoal on paper will work into that memory-like space well. I’d like to see how it could work as a series.